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Neighbourhood’s city centre festival returns to Manchester with promising first wave

Will always be one of our favourites.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 6th March 2026

Neighbourhood Festival’s city centre all-dayer is returning to Manchester for 2026 after a year off, and this first wave of the lineup is looking promising already.

Following teasers over the past month or so, it didn’t take long for us to figure out that NBHD Festival was coming back, especially with the Weekender in Warrington having taken a similar hiatus in 2024.

However, when festivals like these take time out, it can be easy to worry whether or not they’ll lose momentum or come back stronger.

Judging by this initial batch of acts alone, there’s no doubt NBHD Fest ’26 will be another cracker.

As you can see, as well as the fast-rising grungey alternative and garage rock quartet, KEO, being announced as one of the first big hitters on the list, there are some other familiar names on the lineup.

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Especially for us Mancs.

With both Bolton and Altrincham youngsters, Florentenes and The Guest List, both joining the roster, as well as the likes of Bury-born ‘rockabilly’ revivalist Elliot James Reay also featuring on there, there’s a good deal of local talent to be enjoyed as always.

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That goes for the regional delegation in general, too, with the likes of Jos River heading back up this way from her base in London, and Leeds’ fittingly named indie four-piece, The North, also booking a slot.

We’ll admit there are plenty of bands and artists coming up from the capital for the all-day festival, but at least they know where the UK’s real home of music is.

You only have to look at the festival vibes up here to know that…

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It’s worth reminding, once again, that since its inception in 2016 (yes, it really has been a decade now), Neighbourhood Fest has continued to serve as a proper launchpad for the next wave of superstars, not just here in the North West but across the country.

We still remember seeing the likes of Sam Fender, Holly Humberstone, Declan McKenna, Mahalia, The Lathums and more – some for the very first time – on these city centre stages, and it’s crazy to see how big some of them have gone on to become.

Set to take over some of Manchester’s most iconic venues along the Oxford Road Corridor once again, this is, without a doubt, one of the best dates for independents on the annual live music calendar.

Hosting a total of 11 stages on Saturday, 17 October for a full day of live music, tickets for this year’s Neighbourhood Festival go on sale HERE at 10am on Friday, 13 March – and remember, there’s still plenty more to be added to the 2026 lineup.

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Featured Images — Anthony Mooney Photography (supplied via SJM Concerts)

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A (completely subjective) ranking of Harry Styles’ new album, based off one listen

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Harry Styles will be performing at the BRITs in Manchester

Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally is finally with us – HS4 really did drop at midnight this time.

We all expected the fourth album from pop megastar Harry Styles to be a disco album (… because of the title, and the disco ball on the cover), and it is, in places. But there’s a lot more going on here too.

You can tell he’s spent a lot of time in Berlin, which means the disco here is pretty modern, but it’s all still quite tame. This is a pop album at its core and it needs to be one that will fill stadiums (that are already sold out).

And long-time Harry Styles fans will be pleased to find a few stripped-back ballads alongside the heavily-produced bigger tracks.

He kept us waiting for this one, but was it worth the wait?

Here’s my (completely subjective) ranking of every track on the album, based off precisely one listen. I might end up eating my words after a second go-around…

Every song on Harry Styles’ Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally, ranked

12. Season 2 Weight Loss (Track 7)

I’m finding this one a bit annoying until it gets to about the 1.45 mark and builds. I’m all for experimenting with new sounds but it’s all a little disjointed and messy. ‘What drum effect would you like for this one, Harry’ – ‘All of them please’.

You know that feeling you get when you’re boiling the kettle and the extractor fan’s on and the microwave’s going and then your phone starts vibrating and it’s too much noise? Same energy.

11. Paint By Numbers (Track 11)

Bored. Have gone to make a cup of tea.

10. The Waiting Game (Track 6)

I know the girlies have been crying for a Harry ballad like Matilda, but you can’t really have one now because he’s been to Berghain and it’s changed him. He likes synths now.

This one is a close contender though. It’s nice enough but there’s not a whole lot of substance.

9. Are You Listening Yet? (Track 4)

Oh no, speak-singing, in his odd Cheshire-LA accent too (listen to the way he says ‘dancing’). Even with that crescendo with the choir near the end it’s a bit of a plodder. NEXT.

8. American Girls (Track 2)

Idk much about music terminology but whatever key he’s singing in here is scratching my brain just right. I feel like a dog when you scratch the part of their belly that makes their leg shake.

This is a really nice second track and I already know I’m going to regret ranking it so low after a few more listens. But that’s not the point of this ranking. Eighth place for you, American Girls.

7. Coming Up Roses (Track 8)

OH HANG ON, we have a string section! I’m awake again! YES HARRY STRIP IT BACK!! I take back what I said for The Waiting Game, the sad ballad girlies will lap this up. Can’t wait to hold my phone torch up in Co-op Live for this one.

6. Pop (Track 9)

The baseline on this has melted my spine (complimentary). I want to put my head inside the subwoofer. I much prefer the verses to the chorus but can imagine this one will go off in a live setting. To the dance floor!

5. Dance No More (Track 10)

Dance No More? Don’t tell me sh*t like that then hit me with a funky beat like this, Harry! I’m a sucker for a funky indie band (see: Parcels, Phoenix, Jungle, etc etc) so this was always going to work for me.

4. Aperture (Track 1)

Obviously this is not my first listen of this song. Now that we have the context of the rest of the album I can see why this was the lead single. I’ve liked it from the get-go and still do. But if you don’t like this song, you might not love what’s coming.

3. Ready, Steady, Go (Track 3)

More like OK Go, amirite?! Again, the harmonies in this are simply heavenly in the verses, I have been beamed right up. The megaphone vocals in the chorus might divide some people though. Funky little baseline may even tempt me off the couch even at this hour (it’s 7am).

2. Taste Back (Track 5)

This a bit more like old Harry. I can absolutely imagine myself walking to the tram in the morning with this in my ears feeling like the world’s not so shite after all. Might even frolic in a field to this one in summer. Very lovely.

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1. Carla’s Song (Track 12)

Talk about saving the best til last! This is really reminiscent of another song, can’t put my finger on it, but I feel transported and immersed and all other good things music should make you feel. His vocals are stunninggggg in this. 

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Featured image: Johnny Dufort

Audio

Harry Styles One Night Only at Co-op Live in Manchester – phones-free policy, stage times, and everything else you need to know

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Harry Styles will release his fourth album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally in March

Harry Styles will play an exclusive, intimate (for him) one night only concert in Manchester this week.

The show at the Co-op Live coincides with the release of the star’s fourth album, ‘Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally’, both of which will land on Friday 6 March.

Fans have waited years for HS4 and for more live shows from the former One Direction musician, only for him to announce a residency all the way down in London and no northern shows.

But Harry Styles threw us here in Manchester – the closest big city to where he grew up – with the news of a ‘One Night Only’ album release show.

If you’re one of the lucky few thousand who snagged tickets, here’s everything you need to know.

Stage times for Harry Styles One Night Only

For those wanting to queue early, the Etihad Campus will open at 6am, and a standard queuing system will be in place, operating ‘strictly’ on a first come, first served basis. Premium doors for AMEX Card holders will open at 5:30pm, with general admission entries from 6.30pm.

The show has been confirmed to start at 9pm.

How do tickets work?

Tickets for the Harry Styles Manchester gig were dished out in an unusual ‘ticket request’ format, where fans who registered their interest were randomly allocated tickets – no usual ‘Ticketmaster War’ competing in a first-come, first-served sale.

Those who have been successful will have been charged the £20 per ticket fee, and should be able to see their event details now in the Ticketmaster or Co-op Live apps.

Don’t panic if you can’t see your barcode just yet – they should drop in in the next day.

And remember to save your tickets to your phone’s wallet so you don’t struggle with signal at the doors.

What about the phones-free policy?

Harry Styles’ show in Manchester on Friday night will have a strict no-phones policy, it’s been confirmed.

Instead, the lucky few thousand of fans heading to his One Night Only gig will be handed proper disposable cameras to capture moments from the night.

Any use of cameras, smart glasses, smart watches, or other recording devices won’t be permitted in the venue on Friday night.

Fans will instead have to secure their phones inside recyclable bags, which will allow them to be used in normal ways for communications, but without the camera. At the end of the night, your phone will be removed from the bag and the bag will be recycled.

Anyone caught using a digital recording device during the Harry Styles One Night Only phones-free show may be asked to leave the venue.

Instead of a sea of phones, Harry Styles will be asking fans to capture their memories from the night on disposable cameras, which will be included with every pair of tickets sold.

When can I watch Harry Styles One Night In Manchester on Netflix?

Harry Styles' One Night Only gig in Manchester will be the subject of a Netflix documentary
Harry Styles’ One Night Only gig in Manchester will be the subject of a Netflix documentary

Netflix will be joining Harry Styles at the Co-op Live to film for an upcoming special, Harry Styles One Night in Manchester.

A teaser trailer shows behind-the-scenes footage of the former One Direction star rehearsing in the studio.

‘Harry Styles, One Night in Manchester’ will drop on the streaming platform at 7pm on Sunday 8 March.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

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You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

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  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner

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Featured image: Publicity picture / Johnny Dufort

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